Spring-tire.



J. F. ERNST.

I SPRING TIRE. APPLICATION FILED NOV. 29. 1913.

Patented Dec. 15, 1914.

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Inventor I Attqrneys HE NORRIS PETERS c0. PHOTULITHOH WASHINGTON, D. r

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srnnve-rrnn Specification of Letters iPatent. Patentefl De(3 1551914 Application filed November 29, 1913. 1 Serial No; 803,749.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, JOSEPH F. Ennsr, a citizen or the United States, residing at Minneapolis, in the county of Hennepin and State of Minnesota, have invented a new and useful Spring-Tire, of which the following is a specification.

The device forming the subject matter of this application is a tire adapted to be employed upon automobiles and other vehicles.

One object of the presentinvention is to provide a tire of the type above indicated in which pneumatic tires and other elements subject to puncture maybe dispensed with.

Another object of the invention is to provide, in a device of the type mentioned, a plurality of springs which cooperate in a novel manner with each other and with the tread to support the tread.

The invention aims to provide novel means whereby the resilient supports which uphold the tread may be connected with the casing which receives the tread slidably- It is within the scope of the invention to improve generally and to enhance the utility of, devices of that type to which the present invention appertains.

\Vith the above and other objects in View which will appear asthe description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of constructionhereinafter described 1 and claimed, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of the Along their edges, the base portions 3 of v invention herein disclosed can be made within the scope of what is claimed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

In the accompanying drawings:-Figure 1 is a cross section; Fig. 2 is a section partly on the line 22 of Fig. 1; Fig. 8 is a section on the line 3- -3 of Fig. 1.

The tire constituting the subject matter of this application comprises a casing denoted generally by the numeral 1. The casing 1 is a resilient structure and may be fashioned from metal. trough-shaped members 2 having alined, fiat base portions 3 adapted to. cooperate with the rim of the wheel (not shown).

the parts 2 of the casing 1 are provided with projecting flanges 4 united by securing elements 5 which maybe rivets, bolts or the like. Located between the flanges 1 and engaged with the securing elements 5 The casing includes are clips 6 comprising arms 7 which proect between the flanges :1, toward thecenter of the wheel, the clips including loops 8 which lie within the contour of the casing 1 and project beyond the base portions 3.

The tree edges of the members 2 of the resilient casing 1 are formed into approxi- Slidably receivedbetween the feet 9 is a treadlO whiclrmay mately parallel feet 9.

be fashioned from any suitable substance. Ifdesired, the tread 10 may consistot' hard rubber and canvas, but'this detail is Kim I material. Located within the tread 10 and extended oircumferentially of the same are reinforcing elements 11. There may be any number. of theseel'ements l1,,and if desired the same may be in the form of rods.

Disposed transversely oi the casing 1, and the tread 10 are arched or jU-shapedprimary supports '12: The ends of the arched supports 12 are formed into arms which project toward each, other and enter the tread '10, the arms being bent upon=themselves or otherwise-formed to fashion seats 11 in which thereini'orcingrods 11 are received, all of which will be, understood readily from Fig. 1; I Alternating with the arched primary'supports "2 are secondary supports 15 which preferably are continuous or/of loop-shape.

' Throughout the major portion of their extents, the secondary supports 15. are alined' with the primary supports 12, but adjacent the tread 10, the secondary supports are bent somewhat abruptly, as indicated at 16 toward the median plane of the tire and be tween these curved portions 16, seats 17 are formed in the secondary supports. A strap or band18'is engaged in the seats 17. The

supports 12 and 15' abut against the base portions 3 of the casing 1 and are held thereon'by the loops 8 of the clips 6. Se:

curing devices which may be bolt and nut 7 i structures 19 connect opposed portions of the casingQ and pass between certain of the supports 12 and 1 I When the tire herein disclosed is under compression, the tread 10 in the first instanoewill move inwardly and put the primary supports 12 under compression. Under excessive strain, the tread 10 will en gage withthe strap or band 18 and thus the secondary supports 15 will be put under compression. Finally, under an extreme compression, the, strap or band 18 will engage thesecuring devices 19, and thus the reinforcement therefor, said portions of the supports including seats forming interlocking elements with the tread; and longitudinal reinforcements lying within the contour of the tread and lodged in the seats against transverse movement.

2. In a device of the class described, a

base; an arched support engaged with the base and including a sinuous portion completely embedded in the tread within the contour of the tread and extended transversely of the tread to act as a reinforcement therefor; and a longitudinal reinforcement embedded in the tread and lodged in the sinuous portion of the support against transverse movement. I

8. In a device of the class described, a casing comprising cooperating members provided along their inner edges with flanges; a tread slidable between the outer edges of said members; a spring cooperating with the tread to support the same; a securing element uniting the flanges; and a clip through which the spring and the securing element pass.

at. In a device of the class described, a casing; a tread mounted between opposed portions of the casing; arched primary and secondary supports disposed transversely of the tread and resting upon the casing, the supports being disposed in alternating relation circumferentially of the tread, the primary supports being provided with seats embedded in the tread and the secondary supports being provided with seats spaced from the intrados of the tread; a band extended transverselyof the secondary supports and engaged in the seats thereof; securing devices connecting opposed portions of the casing and passing between certain of the supports, the band passing across the securing devices; and a reinforcing element located in the tread and engaged in the seats of the primary supports.

5. In a device of the class described, a resilient casing; a tread cooperating with the casing; arched primary and secondary supports located within the casing, the primary supports being engaged with the tread and the secondary supports being spaced from the tread; a band connected with the secondary supports; and a securing device connecting opposed portions of the casing and located inwardly of the band; the primary supports being adapted to yield to permit the tread to come into contact with theband, and the secondary supports being adapted to yield to permit the band to come into contact with the securing devices.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, Ihave hereto afliXed my signa ture in the presence of two witnesses.

JOSEPH F. ERNST.

Witnesses:

R. C. MOFARLAND, A. W. PAULY.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

